Measuring device



April 1943- H. L. WHITMAN 2,5?

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \m f 49 ii 4a 9 1 j 8 as 85 2 4 3 0.

e6 [9 4 ea 1 an 6 ea 6 43 is; a 5' I u i 1 8 I 1 i I I I j I a as x 0 w 45 3 a a 38% Patented Apr. 20, 1943 warren STATES PATENT orrics MEASURING DEVICE Hyman L. Whitman, EastBridgewater, Mass., as-

signor to C. S. Pierce Company, Brockton, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 4, 1941, Serial No. 377,295

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for obtaining novel foot measurements and for carrying out improved shoe fitting.

It, is a chief object of the invention to improve measuring devices for feet and to devise a method and mechanism for correctly positioning the arch of a foot and then denoting measurements of the foot in its corrected arch position. Another object is to provide means for modifying the arch height of a shoe sole in accordance with a corrected arch measurement. A further object of the invention is to furnish a method for determining the extent of arch correction necessary for a foot subject to'pr'onation. Another object of the invention is to 'providemechanism for making novel measurements relating to the forepartand rearpart of a foot. Still another object is to measure a foot while carrying body weight and while in a corrected arch position. The invention also aims to set forth a novel method of determining correct arch height for a foot, and to generally provide a simple, cheap, efficient and easily operated measuring device.

The nature of the invention, and its objects, will be more fully understood from the following description of the drawings and discussion relating thereto.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a base on which is mounted the measuring device of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in partial cross section and side elevation of the measuring device supporting a foot which is indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation'of the base and measuring device;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the measuring device; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a pad element.

In the construction shown I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of an arch support mechanism which may include a shoe element for supporting a foot and a base upon which the shoe element may be mounted.

Numeral l indicates the base, consisting of some convenient type of supporting member, such as a block of wood or other material. At the upper side of the base have been provided scales A and B (Fig. l) which are utilized in conjunction with the shoe element in obtaining the length of a foot as well as other dimensions.

The shoe element generally indicated by numeral 4 is secured to the base I, as by means of fastenings 2 and 3, and is designed to provide supporting surfaces and abutments for a foot. Included as supporting surfaces of the shoe element are a heel 5 and a sole member 6.

The heel 5 is of hollow construction andof a size generally corresponding to the'heel size of a shoe desired to be fitted; It is contemplated that various sizes of heels may be used in conjunction with the shoe element to correspond to different types of shoes which are desired to be fitted. Secured around the rear of the heel 5, and projecting upwardly therefrom, is an abutment member 8, having a form generally corresponding to that of a. conventional shoe counter. At the inner side of the counter 8 has been provided a strap 8a, which is supported by a spring hinge 817, more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This strap 8a provides an additional supporting portion for the shoe element to very lightly support the inner side of a foot at a point below its ankle bone (Fig. 2).

The abutment '8 is also formed with an upwardly extending guide 9 which is disposed sub stantially in alinement with the central longi-' tudinal axis of the shoe element. The abutment member 8, together with the guide 9, may be formed as integral parts of the heel 5 or they may be constructed separately of one another and secured by fastening means such as screws [0, as in the case of the abutment'fi (Fig. 2).

The sole member 6, included as a part of the shoe element 4, consists of a plate of a size and shape generally corresponding to the size and shape of a shoe sole desired to be fitted. It is contemplated that the shoe sole may be varied in accordance with the type of shoe which is desired to be fitted as noted in connection with the use of the heel member 5. The rear portion of the sole member 6 is curved to generally coincide with the curve of the heel 5 and is slidably received through an opening 6a in the forward edge of the heel 5, more clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5.

Fixed to the under side of the sole member 6 is a bar l8 which extends rearwardly from the curved rear portion of the sole member 6 and projects through openings 25 and 2|, in the heel 5, to present a handle portion I9 for use in slid ing the sole member forwardly and rearwardly in the heel 5. The slot 6a is located at a point just below the top side of the heel 5 so that the sole plate extends forwardly substantially as a continuation of the surface of the heel 5, thus generally conforming to the contour -of a shoe sole. The effect of an actual shoe sole arrangbe varied in accordance with different kinds of shoe soles if so desired.

Numeral II refers to a side plate which serves as an abutment member for laterally supporting a foot on the sole member 6 and is preferably curved to conform to the contour of a foot at i this point. The side plate II is positioned at the outer side of the sole member 6 and is supported on a rod I2 slidably received in a block I3, which is fixed at the under side of the sole member 6 and which is formed with a channel I3a.

Along one side, the rod I2 is formed with teeth I4 which are resiliently maintained in engagement with a tooth member I 4a by means of a flat spring Mb (Fig. 5). The construction noted is adapted to provide for lateral adjustment of the side plate I I relative to the sole member 8. A stop member I40 prevents the rod from sliding entirely out of the block I3. If desired, the side plate may be provided with some type of handle means such as the ring I5 for moving the side plate laterally in and out with respect to the sole member 6.

Formed on the sole member 6 at a side opposite to the side plate II are indicators I6 and I1 and another abutment member 11a. The abutment member [1a consists of an upstanding semi-annular rim adapted to be positioned adjacent the inner side of a foot at a point directly opposite the ball joint of the foot. The rim tends to partly encircle the ball joint, thus facilitating adjustment. When the abutment Fla is in the position noted, indicator I6 will occur just below the ball joint, as has been diagrammatically indicated in Fig, 2. The second indicator member I'I occurs at right angles to indicator It in a position suitable for registering with the divisions on the scale B (Fig. 1).

The shoe element 4 is positioned on the base I so that the length of a foot may be determined from the scale A. By adjusting the sole member 6 in accordance with the position of the ball joint of a foot supported on the sole member, it becomes possible to secure readings as registered by the indicator IT on the scale B which denotes the length of the rear part of the foot and the forepart of the foot. By the rearpart and "forepart of a foot are meant those portions'occurring rearwardly and forwardly of the ball joint. It should be observed that all of these measurements are obtained when the foot is supporting body weight and while in a position almost exactly corresponding to the position the foot would assume in a shoe.

22 denotes an arch support plate of some suitable shape such as one which generally conforms to the plantar surface of a foot along its arch portion, as shown for instance in Fig. 1. This arch support plate is also preferably of a size such that it may extend part way across the heel 5, to present a curved edge 22a, which is of a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the sensitive area of a foot arch as determined by the plantafascia tendon. The plate 22 is further formed with a curved edge 22b which generally conforms to the inner edges of the heel member 5 and sole member 6. The plate 22 preferably includes an abutment plate por tion 23 which overlies the plate 22 and is curved outwardly and upwardly to correspond to the shape of a shoe upper at a point adjacent the inside of the shoe heel.

The plate 22 is preferably composed of a resilient material such as spring steel, plastic or other substance, and is held along one edge in spaced relation to the top surfaces of the heel 5 and sole portion 6 by means of a holding member 25 engaged with the edge 22b of the plate. In a normal position the plate 22 has a bowed formation. The member 25 supports the plate in a somewhat flattened state by means of which the edge 22a is made to resiliently bear against the heel 5 and sole member 6. The holding member 25 includes a block 26 formed with a recess 26a in which is supported a rolled portion of the edge 22?), as shown in Fig. 4. The

block 26 at its under side is formed with notches 26b in which are engaged the extremities of spring members 260. The spring members are folded over around the blocks and clinched upon the rolled portion of edge 22b to firmly maintain the edge in the block 26 and to resiliently urge the edge 22a against the heel 5 and sole member 6.

The block 25 is fixed at the upper end of a threaded post 21 formed with screw threads 28. The post 2'! is supported in a sliding carriage made up of a cylindrical support 29 having an extended side portion which is mounted in the heel 5. The side portion of the cylindrical support extends through a slot 3| of the heel 5 (Fig. 2). A channel 33 formed in the side portion permits this element to engage over an edge of the heel 5, in which position the side portion may slide forwardly and rearwardly in the heel. The cylindrical support 29 is further formed with an opening at its mid-portion to receive a ratchet wheel 32 mounted about the post 21 and resiliently held by the bent end of a spring 32a. At its inner periphery the ratchet is provided with threads 33 adapted to engage with the threads 28 of the post 21 and raise and lower the post in block 29. Numeral 34 indicates a lever member which includes collar portions 34a pivotally mounted about the post 21 adjacent the top and bottom sides of the ratchet wheel 32. The lever 34 also includes a pawl 35 formed with a beveled head 35a, adapted to engage in the openings of the ratchet member 32 and rotate the ratchet in one direction.

The pin 35 is slidab-ly mounted in a bearing portion 31 and is normally maintained in an engaged position with the ratchet by means of coiled spring 38 mounted around the pawl between the bearing 3! and the outer extremity of the lever 34. The beveled head 35a is only operative to rotate the ratchet when the lever is moved in one direction. When moved in an opposite direction the beveled face of the head 35 slides over the ratchet failing to engage with it (Fig, 1). By withdrawing the beveled head 35a of the pin from engagement with the ratchet member, the pawl may be rotated through an arc of thus disposing the beveled face in an opposite position whereby opposite rotation of the ratchet may be effected. This arrangement provides a means of either elevating or lowering the post 21 in the cylindrical support 29, and thereby moving one side of the arch supporting plate 22 upwardly and downwardly with respect to the heel 5 and sole member 6. During elevation the edge 22b of the arch plate continues to bear against the surface of the heel 5 and sole member 6 but slides inwardly toward the holding member 25.

Changing the height of the arch plate 22 varies the position of the arch of a foot supported thereby in a very desirable manner. It will be readily seen that a foot arch which has dropped down from a normal position into a position of pronation may be raised up to a correct position by the lifting action of the arch plate. However, before this lifting of the arch is carried out it is necessary to insure that the center of the arch supporting plate 22 is in alinement with the center of weight distribution of the foot to be measured. The center of weight distribution of a foot is generally recognized as being at a point directly under the inner ankle bone.

To facilitate location of the arch plate 22 in a proper position with respect to the inner ankle bone of any given foot to be measured, I have provided a pointer 42 which may be located at some convenient point on the elevating mechanism, as for example the block 26 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. In Fig. 4, an inner ankle bone of a foot has been diagrammatically indicated in broken lines, with the pointer 42 shown occurring directly thereunder. The pointer 42 preferably is of a height sufficient to extend upward to a point roughly adjacent to, or just under the inner ankle bone, in an extended position.

I have further provided means for moving the pointer 42 and the elevating mechanism forwardly and rearwardly in the heel 5. 43 indicates a lug portion formed on one of the inner sides of the heel 5 and extending laterally inward in spaced relation to the upper surface of the base i. The side of the heel 5, immediately above the lug 43, has been provided with a slot 44, through which extends a lever 45 pivotally sup ported on the lug member 43 by means of a fastening member 45 as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The lever 45 extends across the heel and is pivotally secured to a second lug portion 41 on cylindrical support 29 by means of a pin 41a which passes through a slot 41b formed in the extremity of the lever. Movement of the lever 45 causes the cylindrical support 29, together with the elevating mechanism carried therein, to slide in the heel 5 in longitudinal directions, and thus provides for adjustment of the pointer 42 in alinei vation should be carried out to secure correct 4 elevation of an arch. I have discovered that in a foot having a normal arch the Achilles tendon occurs in a true vertical position extending up from the heel of the foot. It has also been observed that when pronation is present in a foot, i. e., when its arch has dropped, the Achilles tendon becomes distorted into an inwardly bowed position which is readily apparent.

A preferred method of operating the mechanism of the invention, therefore, is to carry out elevation of the arch plate, while a foot is supported thereon, to a point where a true vertical position of the Achilles tendon of the foot, as denoted by the guide 9, may be observed. In Fig. 3 I have diagrammatically illustrated in dotted lines the position which the Achilles tendon of a pronated foot may assume, as contrasted with the broken line showing of an Achilles tendon in a correct vertical position.

The corrected arch height thus determined is incorporated in a shoe to be 'fitted to the foot by providing a scale at some suitable point, as for example in the elevating mechanism, and changing the shoe arch height in accordance with the reading on the scale. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the post member 28 is formed with a scale 48 located on its outer side. A reading on the scale may be determined in -various ways, as for example, by noting the number of divisions on the scale 48 which occur above the edge of the block 29, as indicated in Fig. 2. The scale serves to record, in terms of some suitable unit of measurement, as a fraction of an inch, the increase in arch height found to be required for the foot. A shoe arch height may then be modified to include the dimensions determined in some suitable manner as by inserting arch pads over the inner sole of the shoe.

In Fig. 6, I have illustrated a pad element 48 which is relatively thick along one edge and skived to form a feathered opposite edge. In aocordance with the invention, the thickness of the pad may be scaled in terms of the divisions on the scale 48, or in other ways, and the width and length of the pads may be varied as desired. One or more of these arch pads are inserted in a shoe at some convenient point, as for example under the insole or under a covering on the insole such as a sock lining. If desired, some marking may be stamped or otherwise placed on the pads and a similar marking placed on the inner sole or on the inner side of the shoe upper, to position the pads in a proper longitudinal 'position in a shoe. A common practice in shoe manufacture is to have the front edge of shoe heels terminate at a point directly in alinement with the inner ankle bone of a foot received in the shoe. The front edge of shoe heels may therefore also serve as a guide for inserting pads.

An important feature of the invention is the measurement of a foot in a corrected arch position, to thus accurately determine what the arch height of a shoe should be for the foot. The shoe .element has been designed to generally approximate the size, shape, and supporting features of a shoe, and the elevating mechanism has been designed with a wide range of foot dimensions. The method and apparatus described provide a highly accurate and useful foot measurement not heretofore obtained which makes possible greatly improved shoe fitting.

Another important aspect of the invention consists in the use of elevating means with a guide member which may determine proper position of the Achilles tendon of a foot. The procedure of determining correct arch height by noting the position of the Achilles tendon is thought to be a highly novel step in methods of measuring feet, and one capable of being carried out with various types of indicator and elevating mechanism.

Still another feature of the invention consists in obtaining measurements of a foot, after it has been elevated at its arch portion. It should be observed that a pronated foot, or a foot with a lowered arch, is of greater length than the same foot with its arch in a properly raised position. As a result, therefore, a truly accurate foot length can only be determined at a time when the foot is carrying body weight and the arch of the foot has been lifted into a true position, thus decreasing the overall length of the foot. The mechanism of the invention, by means of the shoe ele ment, the adjustable arch, and the scale A, serves to provide longitudinal measurement of a foot under proper conditions. Another measurement consists in determining forany given-ioot-the distance between the heel of the footandthe ball joint thereof, when the foot is in a corrected arch position. A second similar foot measurement is the ball to toe measurement, or the measurement of that portion of a foot occurring between its ball joint and the first toe. It should also be observed that all of these measurements are obtained while the foot is supporting body weight, which adds to the accuracy of the measurements.

If desired, the elevating mechanism and the arch pads may be utilized without relying on the Achilles tendon measurements, with less accurate results. Similarly, the arch elevating mechanism may be utilized independently of the shoe element or the base I. For example, the arch supporting plates while supporting a foot may be elevated to a point at which the pressure of the arch plates against the arch of the foot serves to indicate when suflicient elevation has been effected. It is contemplated that still other means of limiting o determining proper amounts of elevation may also be resorted to. other means of incorporating arch corrections in a shoe sole arch may be resorted to, as for example by modifying the sole construction of the shoe, or by providing shoes with a range of sole thickness prepared in accordance with the scale of the elevating mechanism of the invention, or by preparing special lasts in accordance with the measurements of the elevating mechanism, or in other ways. It is further contemplated that the method of measuring a foot in a corrected or rearranged position may be carried out in other ways.

It will be seen that the invention provides a very desirable method of correcting the position of an arch of a footand then securing measurements of a foot while in a corrected arch position. Novel measurements are also obtained by measuring a foot in part and in whole while supporting body weight. The device of the invention combines a novel arch elevating mechanism with sole supporting surfaces and abutments and constitutes a cheap, efiicient and accurate shoe measuring means which makes possible greatly superior shoe fitting.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be further resorted to, in keeping with the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a support for a foot, said support formed with a guide, a resilient arch member associated with the support, adjustment means for the arch member, said adjustment means including a block slidably disposed in the support, lever means for moving the block forwardly and rearwardly in the base, a screw in said block, means for raising and lowering the screw, holding means for the arch member supported at the top of the said screw, said holding means engaged over one edge of th arch member and adapted to resiliently maintain the opposite edge of the arch member in sliding relation with the support, said means for raising and lowering the arch member adapted to move a foot supported on the arch member into a position of alinement with the said guide.

7 2. A measuring device comprising a base, a shoe element for receiving thefoot mounted; on

Similarly,

said base,'said shoe element including a heel,- a sole member adjustably received in theheel and extending forwardly thereof, an arch member associated with the shoe element, a sid plate adjustably engaged with the sole member at the outer edge thereof, said side plate adapted to support the outer edge of said foot, and a rod member extending rearwardly of the said shoe element adapted to move the sole member with respect to the said heel. a

3. A measuring device comprising a shoe element for supporting a foot, said shoe element including a heel, a sole member and counter portion, a guide extending upwardly from said counter portion at the middle thereof, arch supporting means located above said heel andsole member, means for elevating the arch supporting means relative to the shoe'element in accordance with a change in the position of said foot as denoted by the guide.

4. As an article of manufacture a measuring device comprising a shoe element for supporting a foot which includes a heel, a sole member and a counter, a guide extending upward centrally of the said counter, arch supporting means associated with the shoe element, holding means for the arch supporting means, a pointer on said holding means, means for moving said holding means longitudinally with respect to the shoe element to position said pointer in alinement with the ankle bone of said foot, means for elevating the said holding means, and a scale lo cated on said holding means for indicating the amount of elevation at any given point.

5. A measuring device comprising a shoe element for supporting a foot, said'shoe element including a heel, a sole member and a counter, said counter having a guide extending upward from the central portion thereof, arch supporting means associated with the shoe element, holding means for the arch supporting means, a pointer on said holding means, a i echanism for elevating said holding means, said elevating mechanism including a block and a screw in said block, a scale on said screw, said heel having a slot formed therein for slidably receiving said block, lever means in said heel, for moving said block longitudinally of the shoe element to position said pointer at a point adjacent the ankle bone of a foot received in the shoe element, and said elevating mechanism adapted to lift the said foot into a position in which the Achilles tendon thereof occurs in substantial alinement with the said guide.

6. A measuring device comprising a base for receiving a foot thereon, a support member having a side portion which extends upwardly from the base into a position in which it is adapted to bear against a foot at a point immediately below the junction of the 0s calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones, and means for applying pressure through the side portion of the support member.

'7. A measuring device comprising a base for receiving a foot thereon, a support member extending upwardly into a position in which it is adapted to bear against a foot at a point immediately below the junction of the os calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones, and means secured to the support member forraising the support, I

8. In an apparatus for measuring feet; includ ing a base and a foot positioned thereon, a support member extending upwardly from th base to a point immediately below the junction of the os calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones of the foot, means for lifting the support relative to the base, said lifting means being secured to the upwardly extending portion of the support member for the purpose of rotating the os calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones into a corrected arch position.

9. An apparatus for measuring feet comprising a shoe element which includes a heel, a support member for a foot located on the heel, said support member having a side portion which extends upwardly therefrom, elevator means mounted in the heel and secured to the support, said elevator means adapted to apply pressure through the support on the localized area of a foot occurring directly above the heel, thereby to arrange the s calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones of a foot in a corrected arch position.

10. An apparatus for measuring feet comprising a shoe element which includes a heel and a sole portion, a support member for a foot located on the heel, means for raising the support member to rotate the arch of a foot positioned on the support member, said means for raising the support member being located along the inner edge of the heel at a point to the rear of the junction of the heel and sole portions.

11. An article of the character described comprising a shoe element for receiving a foot while supporting body weight, said shoe element including a heel, an elevator mechanism mounted in the heel, a support member located above the heel and suspended from the elevator mechanism, said support member presenting an arched surface, the highest point of which occurs above the heel, means for moving the elevator mechanism and the supporting member longitudinally, thereby to position the said highest point of the arched surface of the support member at a point perpendicularly below the ankle bone of a foot supported on the shoe element.

12. An apparatus for correcting and measuring feet which comprises a shoe element for supporting a foot, said shoe element including a hollow heel which is formed with counter portions and a guide, a sole member slidably supported in the heel in a raised position, means for moving the sole member in a direction longitudinally with respect to the heel, an arched plate located above the heel, suspension means for the plate, means for moving the suspension means longitudinally of the heel, an indicator attached to the suspension means, elevator means asociated with the suspension means for lifting the arched plate at a point directly above the heel member, scale means for measuring the elevation effected by the elevator means when a foot has been arranged in a correct arch position as denoted by alinement of the said guide with the Achilles tendon.

13. An apparatus for measuring feet which comprises a base, a shoe element for supporting a foot, said shoe element including a hollow heel, a sole member slidably supported in the heel in spaced relation to the base, said sole member extending forwardly and downwardly into contact with the base, means for moving the sole member in a direction longitudinally of the heel while one end of the sole member is maintained in spaced relation to the base.

14. That improvement in methods of measuring feet which comprises supporting on a base a foot which is subject to pronation, applying pressure to the foot While supporting body weight at a localized area occurring directly below the ankle bone and at a point immediately below the os calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones of the foot, thereby to rotate the arch formed by the 0s calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones into a normal position, and then obtaining measurements of the foot.

15. That improvement in methods of measuring feet which comprise positioning on a base a foot which is subject to pronation, lifting the foot while supporting body weight at the point of meeting of the 0s calsis, scaphoid and astragalus bones, thereby to rotate the arch formed by these bones into a normal position, and then measuring the height of the arch at a point perpendicularly below the ankle bone of the foot while in the corrected position described.

16. An article of the character described comprising a shoe element for receiving a foot while supporting body weight, said shoe element including a heel, a support member located on the heel and extending forwardly therebeyond, said support member presenting an arched surface, the highest point of which occurs above the heel, means for elevating the support member, said elevating means being located at one side of the heel and attached to the support member adja cent its said highest point, thereby to apply pressure to a localized area of a foot occurring di rectly above the heel.

HYMAN L. WHITMAN. 

